Five Things You Should Know About Your Friend With a Brain Injury

Number one: don’t treat them differently simply because of their brain injury. Sure, if you were on a rugby team and your friend suddenly couldn’t play any longer, that’d be acceptable. But they’re still people with feelings and emotions.

Number two: They may not be able to do everything as efficiently as they used to. This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the lack of understanding the general public has when it comes to TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).

Number three: Be supportive. Offering words of encouragement can go a long way to helping the rehabilitation process.

Number four: We aren’t retarded. We may not communicate as well as we used to, but that doesn’t make us any less of a person.

Number five: We get tired and overwhelmed easily. Say I’m in a room with thirty other people. That would be overwhelming for me, and I would be looking for the earliest chance to escape that I could find. Naps are also helpful. If your body is tired, rest! These are just five of the many things there are to understand about dealing with people who have sustained head or brain injuries. I would also stress the need to find a brain injury support group as early on after the injury as possible. They will often be able to provide you with a wealth of information. Anything from doctors, to tips and tricks they’ve learned in dealing with their injuries. In my last support group some people had been going to it for around seventeen years. You will also make some good friends in the process! I know I made many in my last support group.